The films below are currently in production.
1.
Resistance Literature
Is a series of documentaries that aim at presenting the artistic and literary experiences of resistance with its broadest definition. We start with resistance to occupation, ruling dictatorship and the hegemony of powerful countries to resistance to injustice, corruption and the violation of human rights as well as the refusal of ignorance, illness, poverty, the oppression of liberties and the corruption of main stream taste.
We simply present experiences of how art and literature can be a positive tool of resistance.
The series is concerned with this art, whether in its direct or indirect forms. Besides the poems, films and songs that galvanise and call upon the weak to resist occupying forces and oppressive regimes, there are those that work though symbolism. We rifle through all of these experiences and resistance artists, taking into consideration the important experiences that have not received the same attention or fame.
Resistance literature includes stories, novels, poems, songs, music, plastic arts, cinema, theatre, dancing, etc.
2. Political Songs
Is a continuing series of documentaries that aims at presenting and studying the different kinds of political song in the Arab world; its contribution to our lives and its effects on the formation of our peoples’ awareness and its role in the important events that the Arab world has passed and is passing. It discusses the history of political song in our world and its many forms; revolutionary, nationalist, rousing and oppositional.
This series discusses, the experiences of the celebrities of this form of song, whether individual or group. We present those who are directly involved, from producers and composers to poets and those who are indirectly involved, such as those who support politically; organisations, parties, governments or even the people whose awareness is formed by these songs.
3. Witnesses against Humanity
Is a series of documentaries aimed at condemning all forms of violence, regardless of the religious or nationalist beliefs of those who committed them or of their victims. In this way the films emphasise the honour of Mankind. All of the films in this series tell a true story; a character tells of what they have been through, of crimes and violations against their human rights, be they perpetrated by governments, individuals or groups. These crimes, crimes against humanity, may have been committed for religious, racial, social, political, economic or security reasons. The victims may be individuals or a group, just as the criminals too, may be individuals, belong to a group or governmental systems.
As for the approach, the programme tries to avoid the over passionate, or the direct, political method. We prefer to present the human dimension of each story. The programme does not aim to judge any official or non-official authority, but rather it wishes condemn honestly and bluntly any violation of law, liberties or personal rights. It gives a clear message: the condemnation of the violation of human rights, regardless of nationality or religion.
4. People of the South
This series of documentaries emphasises the special political, cultural, religious and historic features of the third world peoples in addition to expressing their ambitions to be equalized with the countries of the North. The programme tackles the issues of these peoples that are absent from the international media; questions of Independence, national sovereignty, neo-colonialism, the effects of globalization, the pollution from buried nuclear waste and others.Each episode is an Independent documentary that presents either the state of anger against the injustice of the North or an expression of individuality of peoples lost to the hegemony of the Northern countries over the media. The programme also sheds light on the struggle of the peoples of the South against dictatorial regimes or tackles issues of struggles between the North and the South. In addition to this, the programme presents the characteristics of the culture of the Southern peoples and its transmission or disappearance between generations. Can this culture survive while the North is in control, or will it disappear in the face of the cultural spread from the North?
5. Documentaries
Is a series of documentaries, each one totally Independent. Their approach is open to all fields; humanitarian, social or cultural, be it on an Arabic or universal level.
6.
The Flying Carpet
Is fillers that reflect the spirit of time and place through touristic, historic and archaeological landmarks and through individual and group examples that have cultural and humanitarian dimensions. They present different examples of characters, places, history, life and its contradictions and peculiarities, its arts and customs; it presents the uniqueness of peoples and the fragrance of places.
7. Of Africa
Is a series of documentaries aiming at presenting the historic, political, economic, social and cultural issues of Africa. We tackle this forgotten continent on two levels. The first sheds light on political issues and Africa’s natural treasures and the international struggle for ownership and authority. Here we discuss the most important issues; the history of resistance to occupation and of national liberation, the direct impact of which is still felt in the local political and economic framework. The other level discusses the major issues regarding the cultural dimensions of African society and the characteristics and individuality of its cultural identity and its customs and traditions that are inherited by cultural, social, human and historic means.
8. Stories from the Street
Is a series of documentaries, each film presents a story from a street to reflect and observe through them the details of the humanitarian and social relationship between people with their environment and location. These details are related to the social, economic, political, historic and cultural situations. The heroes of each film are the people and residents of the street in question.
9. A workshop for professionals at Hot Spot Films
In a new and first step, Hot Spot Films invited a number of directors and producers involved in the documentary films' making , from Arabic countries to a workshop at the company's premises in Dubai Media City.
The gathering started with a tour for Hot Spot's guests in the production units of the company. They met with the company's directors, producers, researchers, film editors, and executives, and participated to a two-day forum about the production phases, the work in each stage of the production, and viewed different films produced by the company.
The introductory sessions covered the following points:
- The concept of documentary work and its elements. The importance of research files in the documentary work, and its axes and stages. The relationship between the field researcher and the research unit at Hot Spot Films and the director of the documentary work.
- Coordination during the shooting of the documentary work at the actual execution stage: archival documents, music, preparing the logging of the tapes, translation of interviews, shooting and broadcasting permits, the technical specifications required for documentary films and programs.
- Preparations for the documentary work between the shooting and the editing: the production units at the company's premises in Dubai Media City, the editing shifts, translations and dubbings, comments, the digitizing sheets, etc..
- Contracts and production budgets, receipt of funds, production reports, and equipments inventories
During the viewing sessions, the guests were able to see some of Hot spot's productions of documentary films and series, in addition to the work of some guest directors shot in Morocco, Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine and other countries.
Hot Spot Films shall hold in the future similar gatherings that will include the elite of young Arab directors and producers to strengthen the bonds between the Company and the artistic and creative cadres in the documentary film field, and give them the opportunity to work and produce.
10. "The New Revolutionaries" wins the Best Prize in Martil’s Festival
“ The New Revolutionaries " , directed by Ms. Bouchra Ijourk , won the best documentary film prize in the Martil Film Festival, held in Morocco in June.
Produced by "Hot Spot Films", the film won the prize jointly with the Mexican film "Pancho Villa", directed by Francisco Tabora, during the eighth session of the festival, held from June 17th till 22nd in the city Martil in Morocco.
The film, highlighting the main "Hip Hop" bands in Morocco, through a unique cinematographic language and a beautiful rhythm, focuses on the lives of these young singers and composers and their ideas. Among those is the Group Fnaire , which has attracted the Moroccans, by songs bearing true meanings of humanity and through a modern music filled with their unique philosophical style.
The Festival’s manager, Ayoub al-Baghdadi, announced that the eighth session of the "Martil" festival focused on the Moroccan , Spanish and Latin American cinema, through the screening of more than 60 films, documentaries and short and feature films.
Links:
http://www.festivaldemartil.ma
http://ijork-bouchra.montadalhilal.com/portal.ht
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